A productive morning at Beachy Head, despite the heavy showers. Highlights were a Merlin (over the rough field opposite Horseshoe Plantation), a Short-eared Owl that flew up from under our feet in Whitbread Hollow, a total of 20 Ring Ouzels (10 in Cow Gap/Whitbread Hollow, 10 in Shooters' Bottom), 20 Swallows, a late Common Whitethroat and a Coal Tit.
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| 1 of 20 Ring Ouzels, Beachy Head, East Sussex |
We were just finishing up at Beachy for the morning when I saw on Birdguides that a juvenile Sabine's Gull had been seen at Dungeness and had settled on the beach. Dad and I pressed onto Dungeness and upon arrival there were a few birders standing around but they hadn't seen it. Dad and I walked along the beach and in no time the Sabine's Gull was flying towards us, close inshore. It showed nicely and settled on the sea before flying towards the fishing boats. We headed back to the car and drove round to the fishing boats and after a short wait, it flew past and settled on the sea just round the corner. Also of note at sea was an Arctic Skua, a Little Gull and three Kittiwakes.
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| Sabine's Gull, Dungeness, Kent |
After the excitement of the Sabine's Gull, we headed round to ARC pit and soon found the juvenile Little Stint along with the Garganey and an added bonus of a juvenile Arctic Tern. Also female Marsh Harrier and Great White Egret. We moved onto the reserve and the Red-throated Diver was showing nicely infront of the visitor centre and from Firth Hide we picked out a 1w Caspian Gull. There was also a Long-tailed Duck which had been reported but despite a good search from Firth and Makepeace Hide we could not find it.
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